Phalaenopsis orchid plant named `Bright Smile&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Bright Smile’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with some yellow and red/purple in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Bright Smile’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Bright Smile’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Bright Smile’ is a product of a controlledbreeding program conducted by the inventor, Rene Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Bright Smile’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2001 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘(Spring Song×KeyLargo)’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsiscultivar designated ‘Hawaiian Dream’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Bright Smile’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2009 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2009 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Bright Smile’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are white with some yellow and red/purple in thelabellum;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Bright Smile’, the flowersof the female parent ‘(Spring Song×Key Largo)’ are about 11 cm in size,the flowers of the male parent ‘Hawaiian Dream’ are about 10 cm in size,whereas the flowers of ‘Bright Smile’ are about 95 cm in size.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Bright Smile’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Snowdance’ (unpatented). The petals of ‘BrightSmile’ are more broadly ovate and the cirrhi of ‘Bright Smile’ arelonger than the cirrhi of ‘Snowdance’. The labellum of ‘Snowdance’ hasmore red/purple than the labellum of ‘Bright Smile’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Bright Smile’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Bright Smile’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Bright Smile’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Bright Smile’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Bright Smile’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Bright Smile’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Bright Smile’as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘BrightSmile’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the floweringphase of ‘Bright Smile’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C.during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘BrightSmile’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Bright Smile’ from potting size isbetween 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Bright Smile’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘(Spring Song×Key Largo)’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Hawaiian Dream’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 2 mm-6            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 60 cm Spread: about 50 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; green leaves (RHS 137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19 ° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 -8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 28 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 10 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS 137A). Under side:            yellow/green (RHS 146B).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 137A) under side: green (RHS 138B).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 5-16.        -   Length.—about 60 cm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—brown (RHS N200A) with yellow/green (RHS 146A).-   Buds:    -   -   Height (from base to tip).—about 25 mm.        -   Diameter (at midpoint).—about 15 mm.        -   Shape.—oval/egg-shaped.        -   Color.—yellow/green (RHS 145B). Orientation: same as flowers            (forward facing)        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 75 mm Diameter: about 95 mm Quantity and arrangement:            three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,            overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more            pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped Apex: oval Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about            50 mm Width: about 40 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and            satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully            opened): upper side: white (RHS NN155C) Under side: white            (RHS NN155C) Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2            prominent callosities at central junction of the lateral            lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum            fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends forward            and is terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Apex: oval Length: about 19 mm            Width (not flattened): about 25 mm Depth of tube created by            lateral lobes of labellum: about 17 mm Texture: Upper &            under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):            Mid lobe, upper side: main color is white (RHS NN155C). In            the center yellow (RHS 5C) with red/purple (RHS 71A) on the            mid vein. On the sides yellow/green (RHS 151 D) with some            vague red/purple (RHS 71B) and red/purple (RHS 71D). Under            side: main color is white (RHS NN155C). Corners are            yellow/green (RHS 155D). Thin edges at the base are            red/purple (RHS 71A). Lateral lobes, upper side: main color            is white (RHS NN155C). At the lower edges first thin            red/purple line (RHS 71A) than yellow/green (RHS 151D). From            the base some red/purple stripes (RHS 71A). Under side:            white (RHS NN155C) with at the lower edges some yellow/green            (RHS 151 C) and a thin red/purple line (RHS 70A). Cirrhi:            about 18 mm color: white (RHS NN155C) with yellow/green (RHS            150D) en red/purple spots (RHS 71A). Pestle (Callosities):            Length: about 7 mm Width (not flattened): about 7 mm Color:            main color is white (RHS NN155C). On top and on the sides            yellow (RHS 8A) and red/purple spots (RHS 71A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:            about 40 mm Width: about 35 mm Apex: oval and little pointy            Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Upper side, dorsal: white (RHS NN155C).            Lateral: white (RHS NN155C). At the base some yellow/green            (RHS 150C) with red/purple spots (RHS 70B). Under side,            dorsal & lateral: white (RHS NN155C) with a yellow/green            (RHS 150C) haze.        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 35 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: starting at the flower            yellow/green (RHS 150D) which runs into yellow/green (RHS            149B) and then yellow/green (RHS 144A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 8 mm Diameter: about 5 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 2 mm Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 17A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm Diameter: about 4 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Bright Smile’, as illustrated and described herein.